The Rotary GTR gives thanx to a new sponsor

GTR Launches First Float Building Competition

2016 is a big year for the GTR, it is the 30th birthday celebrations & we have added a few changes to the event. We are happy to announce one more brand new addition to the event...

For the first time in its 30 year history, a float building challenge will be introduced this year.

Companies and schools in Middelburg and eMalahleni are being challenged to enter their train float to win great prizes!

The rules are quite simple: the float must look like any train – steam or electric, modern or old; you have to incorporate the name/logo of your company/school/tertiary institution and Rotary in the design; it must be built on a roadworthy powered vehicle e.g. bakkie and/or trailer, but no bigger than a 4 Tonne truck/tractor; it should only have a driver and one passenger.

Chris Roos, GTR committee member, is already hard at work to build the Train Race flagship float. Closing date for float entries as per the race entries is the 1st of August 2016.

A float parade will take to the streets during the week leading up to the race. The public will vote for their winning float on a special sms line and the winner will be announced on race day.

Email the race office for your entry form at admin@gtr.co.za.

Just a reminder of the other changes to the 2016 GTR:
The long distance runners will start at 6am at the Train Station in Witbank, running an official 32km race on the R555.
The 15km race will start from the Hillside Station turn off near La Rochelle at 6am on the R555.
Don’t forget to book your bus ticket to get to the starting point!
The finish venue will relocate to Kees Taljaard Stadium in Middelburg
The relay race will start at 7am starting and ending at the Kees Taljaard Stadium with one central change over point for all 5 team members.
Participants will run in a 4.9km circle route.
There will also be the ever popular 4.9km fun run for young and old starting and ending at Kees Taljaard Stadium at 7:15am.

Due to the change in the route we have also added another new element to our central change over point. We are offering companies the opportunity to set up a gazebo next to the change over point while participants wait for their turn. The cost of this is R400 per 5m x 5m gazebo.

2016 also brings a new and Improved Food Court serving from Prego steak, Pancakes, Indian food, King Pies, Wors rolls to Hamburgers, to name but a few whilst you are listening to live music on stage.

Entry forms are available on the train race website, at the Highveld Mall Information Kiosk & the Middelburg Info Centre or contact the race office on 013 243 2253 or email admin@gtr.co.za.

Hope to see you there!

The GTR Team

The Greatest Train Race is turning 30 years old!

2016 will mark the 30th birthday of the Greatest Train Race.

The organisers of the GTR are already busy with preparations for this years event taking place on the 20th of August.

The GTR started from humble beginnings in 1987 with 400 participants and grew continually over the past 29 years to a maximum capacity of 20 000

For the 30th year of the GTR we are changing things up a bit, said newly elected GTR Chairman Chantal Bekker.

Chantal, lives in Middelburg and is a wife and a mother of two daughters. She works as an external sales consultant for Rand-air. Chantal also has a qualification as an HR Consultant in ETDP. She was the first crowned Mrs. Middelburg in 2010 and during this time she started with her work in the community and never stopped.

Chantal joined the Cycad Rotary Club 3 years ago.

It is very important for me to see people grow and develop. I truly believe to add value to someone’s life. It’s not what you do or say, but HOW YOU MAKE PEOPLE FEEL that matters. My motto in life = 1 Kor 13: “Love keeps no record of the wrong”, Chantal said.

2015 brought with it a choice between getting the Train or using the money for the underprivileged community. The decision was not easy, but the right choice had to be made. This also then changed the view for the 2016 GTR, we are very excited about the new Greatest Train Race 2016, Bekker said.

To get involved in the Greatest Train Race 2016, be it through sponsorships or entering teams, visit our website www.gtr.co.za, join our Facebook page and read the Witbank News/Middelburg Observer to stay updated with the latest information.’

More winners for Greatest Train Race

Kutting took the honors for the best water point in the 2015 Greatest Train Race event. Alida Niehaus (President of Middelburg Rotary Club) hands over the winning floating trophy to Marlie Nel from Kutting.

The School’s competition winner was also announced on Wednesday morning. Maloma Primary School from eMalahleni entered the most teams. They won themselves a brand new office Computer valued at R8000 sponsored by the Greatest Train Race, which was handed over by committee members Rtn John Moshidi (back left) and Elsabé Dawson.

Greatest Train Race Gives Thanx

The Greatest Train Race 2015 is now official!

Wednesday the 20th of May marked the official launch of The Greatest Train Race 2015.

Not even sudden load shedding could dampen the spirits on the evening! The Middelburg Chamber Auditorium was filled with business men, -women and distinguished guests, Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mike Masina and the Rotary District 9400 Governor Annie Steijn who all came together celebrating the launch of the Train Race with Rotarians.

The main sponsors, Lawrence Maroos from GC construction and Vusi Zwane from Glencore, signed the sponsorship agreement together with the Chairmen of the Train Race Committee, Max Köhler.

Köhler explained that although more South Africans have access to social welfare services, electricity and water, 65% are still very poor with 30% being jobless. This is the reason why it is so heart warming to be associated with the Train Race, the sponsors and volunteers being involved and making a difference, Köhler said.

The mayor of Middelburg, Mr. Mike Masina said that the well planned Greatest Train Race has been a part of the Middelburg community for a long time and will remain a part of the community for many years to come with the full support of the Municipality.

There are still a number of opportunities for companies and individuals to become sponsors or volunteers at this great fun event.

The Greatest Train Race will take place on the 22nd of August 2015. It starts at the Witbank Train Station and finishes at the Middelburg Municipality. Entries have already opened. You can choose to take part in the 4.9km, 15km or 28Km individual events or the ever popular relay race comprising of 5 members per team over a 28km distance. Entries can be submitted online at www.gtr.co.za or by hand at the Middelburg Information Centre in Walter Sisulu street and the Highveld Mall Info Kiosk in eMalahleni. The race office can be contacted on 086 11 TRAIN (87246) or admin@gtr.co.za.

Greatest Train Race Schools Competition Winning School Announced!

The Greatest Train Race committee launched a challenge to all schools to enter as many teams as possible in the popular event held 2 weekends ago.

It didn't matter how big or small the school was, the winning school was determined by the school size versus entries principle, so everyone had an equal chance!

The winning school won 2 laptops sponsored by Firmlinx - Fast Reliable IT, a technology and communication company with branches in Witbank and Middelburg.

"Our vision is to create the ultimate value-added IT experience to our clients and ensure we are a valuable resource to our clients. We want to see our clients benefiting from their IT systems, systems that, with our input have become reliable, dependable and useful. We want to remove the frustration from owning and running IT systems by working closely with our customers to provide simple affordable solutions to their exact needs", said Rudi Grundlingh owner of Firmlinx.

The lucky winning school of this great prize is HTS Middelburg. The school will be launching their own running club Rooies soon and young and old will be welcome to join the club.

"The response from the schools were amazing and it was a very close call with the entries, but as we all know there can only be one winner and we would like to thank each and every school that entered teams into the race, not only did they assist with raising funds for the less fortunate but they also showed great team spirit", said Max Kohler, Train Race Chairperson.

The Train Race committee would like to thank all the schools that entered teams and Firmlinx for the Computer sponsorship.

15 000 runners take on the train for the 28th year!

On the 23rd of August 2014, The Rotary Greatest Train Race hosted the 28th year of the event and once again it proved to be one of the most enjoyable and well organised community projects.

The Greatest Train Race attracted 15 000 runners, some competing in a 5 man team relay, some walking 15km and the brave, taking on the 28km as individual runners.

For a second year in a row the Suzuki Team took first prize in the relay section, with a time of 1:25:42, the winning High school team was HTS Middelburg with a time of 1:42:41 and the winning primary school was Dennesig with a time of 1:59:46.

Johnson Mbwane from the Eskom Running club took first place in the Individual 28Km running event with a time of 1:44 while the first lady was Rita van Wyk from the Boksburg running club with a time of 2:25.

In the 15Km walking Edward Motsaathaba from NBC won with a time of 1:45:25 and Ria Potgieter walked away with the gold for the ladies.

"For 28 years the Greatest Train Race have been part of uplifting the local community, many charities have benefitted and will still benefit for many years to come from the money raised through this annual event. Through this event and the Rotary Clubs, children receive not only books, tables & chairs from all over the world for their schools, but also basic necessities", said Max Kohler, Chairman of the Greatest Train Race.

"Because of the support from our Sponsors, Anglo American, GC Construction and Glencore, secondary sponsoring companies such as Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages, Transnet, Bambanani Occupational Health, TRAC, RiseFM and Oasis as well as water point hosts, logistics volunteers and the participants in the race, we are able to make the race the success that it is and raise the money for this amazing community projects", said Kohler.

All participants can now view and purchase their photos of the race on www.claypigeonphoto.co.za and the photos will be available on the website by Thursday the 4th of September. For more detail, mail claypigeonphoto.co.za.

The Train Race has grown from strength to strength and will continue to grow in years to come, watch this space!